Hand Manly 2007 premiership, MP says
Date April 22, 2010
NSW Liberal MP for Manly Mike Baird has called for the Sea Eagles to be awarded the 2007 premiership, after the Melbourne Storm were stripped of the title.
The Storm were also stripped of their 2009 premiership and fined a total of $1.6 million after being found guilty of massive, long-term salary cap breaches.
But while Melbourne lost the titles, NRL chief executive David Gallop said neither of the losing grand finalists, Manly and Parramatta, would assume those titles.
Baird, who is opposition treasurer, called for Manly to be awarded the 2007 gong and the financial rewards that would have come with it.
"If you win a premiership there is obviously a lot of upside financially and if we'd won that premiership, which it appears we should have now, then there is no doubt that the funds that flowed could have gone to developing Brookvale (Oval)," he told reporters on Thursday.
"And we'd be calling on those funds, should they become available."
The $1.1 million the Storm earned in prizemoney will be distributed evenly between the other 15 NRL clubs.
Baird described the news as "incredible" and "sad" for all fans of rugby league."
"I think all of us who love sport, and I love my sport, love every part of rugby league," he said.
"It is sad news. I think all of us believe when you get on the field ... it's a fair contest and it is really disappointing."

I can't see a premier doing anything remotely close to favouriting anyone after today! He'll probably have to show his impartiality by not giving Brookie money and putting it all into Leichardt, Kogarah and Belmore.

Unfortunately the pollies, even the very top officeholders, don't really have the power to favour their own constituents too much, as they are really acting in the interests of other 'parties'. We need the real powerbrokers on our side - the Gina Rineharts, Packers, Lowys, Stokes, Politis, Triguboffs and their ilk. Does anyone doubt that money talks? And big money talks loudest?
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PS just confirmed Baird has the job ..